Dear Staff,
Last week, ACLD continued to move forward with administering the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to staff in an effort to safeguard staff and the people we support. As of this week, 85% of ACLD’s residents have received the vaccine – another step towards an eventual return to normalcy. We encourage our staff to consider being vaccinated. Learn the facts about the COVID-19 vaccine on the CDC's website here. Anyone who has not received their first dose of the vaccine yet, and would like to, should contact Joel Santana at x134 about vaccine availability in the community.
As you will read in this edition of the Limelight, ACLD Executive Director, Rob Ciatto will again be hosting Virtual Town Hall meetings that are open to all staff across the agency. These Town Halls will be held on Zoom on March 24th and March 25th at 10:00 am and 4:00 pm on both dates. See below in this newsletter for the Zoom links for each meeting.
In other big news, ACLD has been named a “2021 Top Workplaces USA” winner, following the recognition we received in December as a Newsday “Top Workplaces” winner. In addition, Faith Mazzone, Director of Nursing, won a "COVID-19 Heroes" award from Long Island Business News this past month.
Please enjoy reading this month's newsletter below, and check out all of the employee highlights, staff news and other fun stories from across ACLD.
Sincerely,
Rob, Gerard, Anne Marie and Kim
Robert Ciatto, Executive Director
Gerard DiMuro, Assistant Executive Director
Anne Marie Sime, Assistant Executive Director
Kim Leonard, Chief Financial Officer
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"Top Workplaces USA" Winner! |
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We are proud to announce that ACLD has been named a "2021 Top Workplaces USA” winner! This is a distinction that only 570 organizations across the country received.
With this award, ACLD is recognized nationally as an industry leader in the non-profit sector. Thank you to all ACLD staff for making us a top place to work.
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New Head of Children's Services |
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Congratulations to Robin Stevens, the new principal of ACLD’s Children’s Services! In this role, Stevens will be overseeing both the ACLD Kramer Learning Center and the Alan and Ellen Spiegel Children’s Center.
Stevens has been working with children with autism, learning and developmental disabilities for over 39 years, spending the last 10 as the Assistant Principal of the Kramer Learning Center. Over the years, Stevens has also worked at the Center for Developmental Disabilities, and the Just Kids Early Childhood Program. Other roles she’s held within ACLD over the years are that of an Early Intervention/Homebased Special Educator, and an Early Intervention Coordinator and Evaluator.
Upon ascending to her position in January, Stevens said “I am excited about my new role, and look forward to continued work with the Children’s services leadership team, as we address today’s challenges and work to develop new opportunities for ACLD children and families.”
This change comes at the request of Noreen Clemens, Principal of the Kramer Learning Center for the last 30 years, as she wished to take on a different role within the program. Noreen is now Assistant Principal of the Spiegel Children's Center. We are pleased that Noreen will remain on staff and accordingly, Linda Eisen will transition to a new role at the Kramer Learning Center.
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Achievements in Healthcare Awards |
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Congratulations to Faith Mazzone, ACLD Director of Nursing, for being recognized as a Long Island Business News "COVID-19 Hero".
The "COVID-19 Heroes" award was created to recognize medical professionals, first responders and organizations within the healthcare system for above and beyond response to COVID-19 efforts.
Faith, who is more than deserving of this accolade, has been instrumental in ACLD's response to the pandemic and has led the nursing department in taking care of all people supported. Faith will be recognized for this award at Long Island Business News' virtual Achievements in Healthcare Awards on March 18th, 2021.
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February Employee Spotlight |
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Say hello to Kim Giroffi, Adult Services Office Manager and a soon-to-be 20 year veteran of ACLD.
Kim has held many different roles throughout the last 20 years, beginning her career in 2001 as a Residential Administrative Assistant. After that she worked in the Health Services Center (before CEC) as an Office System Specialist, then as a Development Associate, followed by a return to Residential as an Office Supervisor and then as the Adult Services Office Manager.
As of last June, Kim is now in the ACLD Nursing Department, so not surprisingly, a lot of her current workload has to do with the COVID-19 Vaccine. Kim also serves on both the ACLD Organizational Care Committee and the ACLD Safety Committee.
Over the years, Kim has been a part of a lot of growth within the agency, and has assisted many directors in various capacities. Kim says she's enjoyed working in every department, with especially fond memories of working with the residential staff and people supported during her two tenures in Residential Services.
Thank you Kim for being a part of ACLD and we are lucky to have you on our team!
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Congratulations are in Order |
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Congratulations to Charlotte Farinella, Curriculum Coordinator for ACLD’s Preschool Programs, on her January 2021 NYSED School Building Leader (SBL) certification!
This certificate is the end result of over a year of graduate coursework and internships, in addition to a rigorous NYSED examination. The certification will allow for Charlotte to expand her work with our Special Education teachers to include ongoing supervision.
Charlotte has worked in ACLD's Children’s services for 33 years, first hired in 1988 (from a handwritten resume) by Noreen Clemens, as an Early Intervention Special Education teacher. Over the years, Charlotte has held positions in the ACLD Early Intervention, Preschool and Day Care Programs, serving as Kramer Learning Center Day Care Director for several years. Her current position of Curriculum Coordinator supports and provides resources and a role model to all classroom staff in their delivery and design of developmentally appropriate instruction and learning environments.
Please join us in a congratulating Charlotte on this accomplishment and we wish her continued success!
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Town Halls with Rob Ciatto |
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ACLD's Executive Director Rob Ciatto will again be holding Virtual Town Hall meetings that are open to all staff across the agency.
These Town Halls are held to discuss the state of ACLD, our continued work in responding to this pandemic and ensuring the safety of our workforce and people supported. Everyone is encouraged to join and to ask Rob questions. See below for the dates, times and Zoom links to join
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Mar 24, 2021 10:00 AM
Meeting ID: 817 0504 3428
Passcode: 352276
Call in: (929) 205-6099
Meeting ID: 817 0504 3428
Passcode: 352276
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Mar 24, 2021 4:00 PM
Meeting ID: 857 0859 1489
Passcode: 200710
Call in: 929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 857 0859 1489
Passcode: 200710
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Mar 25, 2021 10:00 AM
Meeting ID: 882 3899 6565
Passcode: 557441
Call in: 929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 882 3899 6565
Passcode: 557441
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Mar 25, 2021 4:00 PM
Meeting ID: 878 7503 6251
Passcode: 569155
Call in: 929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 878 7503 6251
Passcode: 569155
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ACLD launches Direct Care Learning Academy |
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The ACLD Direct Care Professional Learning Academy welcomed seven ACLD direct care staff to be in its first cohort. This first cohort meets once a week for 10 weeks, with a unique module on professional development skills each week.
The core themes of this academy focus on ACLD’s culture, mission, core values and best practices. This cohort will act as a pilot program with participants offering their critical feedback and evaluation of each training module.
The seven ACLD direct care staff participating in this cohort are emerging leaders that are building their careers in services and supports for people with disabilities, and with this program, ACLD is committed to building a stronger future for our direct care professionals.
Direct Care Learning Academcy participants
3. Diana Sanchez, Day Habilitation Specialist – CHOICES Hauppauge
7. Brian Walsh, Direct Support Professional – Great Neck IRA
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Interested in learning more about the Direct Care Professional Learning Academy? Call Sharon Geiselmann at 516-822-0028 ext. 240.
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Last month, the adults supported in ACLD’s Day Habilitation services began writing letters to other adults supported throughout the agency as Pen Pals.
This program allows everyone at each Day Habilitation site to create, send and receive letters from other sites. The first letters written were delivered by staff last week.
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Some community residences joined in as well, giving one man the opportunity to send a card to his girlfriend who lives in an ACLD home. Many people also chose to send Valentine's Cards to old friends and new ones with the holiday coming up this month.
This fun initiative has the adults supported excited with a new way to keep in touch and connect with others during these times when people are still at home. Thank you to all staff involved for making this happen.
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Last month our Recreation program organized a Zoom "DJ Dance Party" for our community residences, and the men and women we support had a blast.
Some impressive moves were busted to songs such as “Cha Cha Slide”, “UpTown Girl” and the Grease classic “Tell Me More”. Thank you to the Recreation program and Colleen Valentin for setting up this fun night for everyone.
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February is Black History Month, and we invite you to join us, along with the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), in celebrating the accomplishments of black New Yorkers with disabilities. Click the image below to read about the life of 5 successful black New Yorkers with disabilities on opwdd.ny.gov
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The Alan and Ellen Spiegel Children’s Center in Bay Shore is currently expanding. The construction taking place will result in four additional classrooms for the school and will connect the gym building to the school building so the students and teachers won’t have to step outside to go to gym class.
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Check out this song below from Meghan Costa, ACLD Training & Compliance Facilitator and Certified Investigator, and her acapella group "Stiletta"
Meghan and her group recorded this cover and music video to Adele's "Remedy." Meghan said about the song, "In this time where words fail, it felt more important to us than ever to connect with people through our music. In our music video we thank essential workers and put images of hope throughout".
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Support ACLD while getting your 80’s groove on with a virtual concert featuring Multi-Platinum Hip Hop Artist Rob Base, Melle Mel and electro-funk and hip hop ensemble SoulSonic Force.
This virtual concert is next week on February 17 at 6:00 pm. Invite your friends and family over, and have a dance party while listening to classics like “It Takes Two, White Lines and Planet Rock” right in your living room! There will also be music featured by DJ KYS.
Click here or scan the QR code on the flyer below to buy your tickets now. ACLD will receive a portion of the proceeds. Make sure to click on the "Old Skool Remix Live Stream" for $19.99 to get your link.
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Emergency Heating Program |
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United Way of Long Island is offering emergency heating assistance for people who may need help affording to heat their homes in their program called "Project Warmth". See the flyer below.
Contact United Way at 2-1-1 or at (888) 774-7633 to speak to a representative that can provide guidance and help determine eligibility.
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Welcome ACLD New Hires - January 2021 |
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Cassandra Damour - Direct Support Professional - Bethpage 857
Chereen J. Robinson - Direct Support Professional - Alice Court
Chris O. Lopez - Direct Support Professional - Autumn
Damian A Barker - Respite Counselor - Bethpage 807
Ebony J Jones - Direct Support Professional - Rainbow 921
Emile A. Sewell-Cunningham - Direct Support Professional - Magnolia Manor
Indira H. Persaud - Direct Support Professional - Roslyn Heights
Janine M. Peluso - Speech Language Pathologist - Kramer Learning Center
Kevin Andie Fyffe - Respite Counselor - Bethpage 807
Lisa M. Platti - Direct Support Professional - Bethpage 857
Marc S. Lucien - Direct Support Professional - Bethpage 857
Maxine C. Park - Direct Support Professional - Bethpage 857
Mecca A. Tricoche - Special Educator - Kramer Learning Center
Naura Laplante - Direct Support Professional - Dix Hills
Preston M. DeSouza - Direct Support Professional - Bethpage 857
Richard O. Onipede - Direct Support Professional - Bethpage 857
Richecarde Pierre Louis - Direct Support Professional - Great Neck
Ronni A. Reeves - Direct Support Professional - Calvert Avenue
Rousemithe Pierre-Louis - Direct Support Professional - Russell Gardens
Shaketta A. Stewart - Direct Support Professional - Alice Court
Shakira A. Hubbard - Direct Support Professional - Bethpage 857
Shaquanna M. Pettway - Direct Support Professional - Bethpage 857
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Don't forget to give a SHOUT OUT to recognize someone at your location for something special they did for you, your department or a person we support. |
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The Organizational Care Committee is always looking for new ideas and suggestions from all of YOU to continue to make ACLD one of the best places to work, and for children and adults to receive supports and services.
Please share your ideas and suggestions anytime at brightideabox@acld.org or by using the "Bright Idea Box" at one of the following ACLD locations.
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807 Building
837 Building
857 Building
Program Without Walls
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Kramer Learning Center
Spiegel Children's Center
Hauppauge Day Program
Levittown Day Program
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Glen Cove Day Program
Westbury Day Program
Farmingdale Day Program
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Submit YOUR stories for the "Limelight" |
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Each month we include stories in this newsletter about YOU and all of the amazing staff here at ACLD!
BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP to find out about these stories. Please send us anything to include such as:
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A story about how you or someone else went above and beyond to help the people we support, organized any fun or educational activity, or did anything to further our mission in any way
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Information or news useful for staff across the agency. Anything important or fun.
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Proud moments for you or your family (Personal or professional milestones, awards, weddings, educational degrees or works in the community).
Don't be shy about submitting stories - we need new ones every month!
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"the limelight" is an initiative of the
Communications Committee
and is produced by the
Development and Community Relations Department.
Jonathan Dolan, Editor. For questions, comments or suggestions, please email dolanj2@acld.org
Thank you to all who have submitted information
and photos. Keep them coming!
We welcome your comments and suggestions.
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